Book Your 2016 Mountain Biking Holiday to Central Australia with The Redback

Press Release / 07.03.2016

­Endless single track stretching to a distant horizon, warm mid-winter riding, flowing trails, friendly smiles and the satisfaction you get from a great day on the bike ... If this is your thing then racing The Redback will be your dream mountain bike holiday.

The Redback provides four days and six stages of some of the most inspiring mountain biking Australia has to offer, racing along the jaw-dropping trails around Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

The Redback will be held from Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st August 2016, with the event based from the Chifley Alice Springs Resort. Given it's the ninth year of this event (which was formerly known at the Ingkerreke Commercial MTB Enduro), the organisers have fine-tuned The Redback into a truly incredible race experience.

Alice Springs is surrounded by kilometre after kilometre of hand built single track made for mountain bikes by mountain bikers and The Redback makes full use of these quality trails. With a new Team of 2 category, the easiest race logistics of any stage race, and a significant focus on the social aspect, this is a must-do event for every mountain biker.

Cannondale rider James Downing from Canberra has done the event for the past 3 years and will be returning in 2016 as an event ambassador, providing advice to newcomers to the event. "Alice Springs absolutely rocks as a mountain bike destination. With over 300km of the most awesome single track in the country I always make it a priority to head up there when there is a race on," James Downing said. "The racing is one thing, but the option to be able to talk about it after each day makes it really awesome. This particular race [The Redback] is perfect for that. You meet new people, ride the best trails going, talk crap with your mates, swim in the pool and eat good food - what more could you want in a lifestyle mountain bike destination?" he said.

The six stages of The Redback are quite diverse, giving riders a really good cross section of terrain, riding style and landscape. The stages include cross country, a hill climb, individual time trial and a mind-blowing night race.

All races start and finish within rolling distance of Alice Springs so there's no rental car or support crew necessary (Rapid Ascent, the event organiser, will even pick you up at the airport!), and riders can choose to race just one stage, a few stages, or race them all.

There are nightly presentations and social functions to create a great atmosphere, especially as most riders choose to stay at either Chifley Alice Springs Resort – the official event centre – or nearby Lasseters, both offering discounted rates for The Redback competitors.

This year The Redback coincides with the Henley on Todd Regatta, a great spectacle event held on the Todd River involving a range of 'boat races' held on the dry river bed. Riders will be able to watch the action after they complete Stage 5 on Saturday. The event organisers at Rapid Ascent are also looking at entering a few 'crews' of riders to challenge the locals.

Race Director, John Jacoby from Rapid Ascent says The Redback is more than just a mountain bike stage race. "This event is all about riding some great single track, meeting other mountain bikers from across Australia, and exploring one of the most iconic destinations in Australia," he said. "The Redback provides a great opportunity to discover Alice Springs, experience this unique Australian landscape and learn more out the diverse culture of the outback. "Bring your mates or your family as this is the ideal mountain biking holiday and winter-escape," he said.

Entry discounts are available for groups so you can share the holiday with your mates, and discounts are also available for Alice Springs residents.

Entries to The Redback 2016 are now open at www.theredback.com.au

EVENT DETAILS:
18-21 August 2016 - Alice Springs, Northern Territory
4 days, 6 stages:
o    Stage 1 - Central Communications 40km Cross Country Race - Thursday (AM)
o    Stage 2 -  300m ANZAC Hill Climb - Thursday (PM)
o    Stage 3 - 22km Individual Time Trial - Friday (AM)
o    Stage 4 - Ground Effect 22km Night Race - Friday (PM)
o    Stage 5 - Lasseters Hotel 50km Cross Country Race - Saturday (AM)
o    Stage 6 - Chifley Alice Springs Resort 45km Cross Country Race - Sunday (AM)

Website : www.TheRedback.com.au

Twitter : @Rapid_Ascent #TheRedback

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/rapidascentevents?ref=ts